Chapter 84

"From Inro? From Inro? Someone from the Inro Dukedom is coming as your teacher?"

Fai repeated several times. Lirika was having breakfast with Attil. In exchange for her help, Attil had ordered Lirika to have breakfast with him for a whole week. Thanks to this, she had been eating very well lately.

"Yeah, from the Inro Dukedom... Is there any problem with that?"

Lirika asked, tilting her head. Attil muttered, "Damn," and put down his fork, crossing his arms. Fai said with a strange look on his face.

"The Empress is really resourceful. To send someone from Inro..."

"They never interfere with the central region. They are famous for being holed up in the Snowstorm Castle and not coming out, just fidgeting around."

While Barat enjoyed wielding his title of Duke in the central region, Inro was positioned at the extreme opposite. They had no townhouse in the capital and never set foot in it. They simply lived quietly in their own territory.

But they did buy countless books every year.

"A mysterious family in many ways. I heard they mixed with snow fairies."

"Snow fairies?"

Lirika's eyes sparkled. Fai nodded.

"Yes, that's why the family crest is a snow crystal. There are stories that they possess all the world's knowledge, or that they are the family of sages. Most importantly, hmm."

Fai glanced at Attil. Attil said,

"There are rumors of a hidden pact between Inro and Takar, but I don't know the truth. Only His Majesty knows."

"Wow, it sounds like an old fairy tale."

Snow fairies and a dragon's contract—this kind of content would fit in an ancient bard's song.

"It is an old tale. We don't know if it's true. Ah, there's one more famous thing about them."

Fai said with a smirk.

"They are known as artifact collectors. They've been gathering dangerous artifacts since the family was established and heading north."

"Really?"

Lirika asked, and Attil nodded.

"Yeah. That's why they are called sages. It's also the reason no one messes with Inro... The gems from the north are of very high quality. Most of the mages' stones come from there. Most of the gems you received from His Majesty were probably bought from Inro."

Lirika perked up at the new stories. She asked,

"Then how does the Inro family mine gems?"

"That's their family secret."

"Even where they mine is unknown."

The more the story continued, the more mysterious it seemed. Attil shrugged.

"Most importantly, Inro has always been completely disconnected from this side. Now they're sending a teacher to you. What trick did your aunt use?"

Fai laughed.

"I don't know what trick, but I can tell the whole central region will be in an uproar. I never thought I'd see someone from the Inro family with my own eyes. When will they arrive? Can you arrange a meeting for me?"

Lirika nodded.

"Yeah, I'll find a way."

Fai smiled proudly and looked at Attil.

Showing the solid relationship between the Inro Dukedom and the royal family would give new perspectives to the court nobles and lower nobles lining up.

'Since they are the closest to the legendary family.'

Her heart was also pounding. The Inro family was one that could make Sandar's heart race.

I wonder how big the ripple will be.

Just by coming quietly and staying in the palace without any meetings, they would cause a stir.

Lirika savored the crisp and sweet pie while thinking.

'Most of all, I'm looking forward to what they will teach me.'

They must know many new things she doesn't.

Lirika smiled softly.

At that moment, Attil made a sound and said to Fai,

"You, go out for a moment."

Fai blinked and then got up without a word.

"Understood."

After Fai left, only Brin, Bran, and Raub remained.

Attil's face turned serious as he looked at Lirika, and she also became serious.

"I don't know if I should tell you this."

"If you say it like that, it's as good as told."

Lirika's words made Attil sigh deeply. He roughly stroked the back of his head and said,

"I found him."

"Found who?"

Lirika asked involuntarily. Found? Found who?

Attil's blue eyes were fixed on her, as if he wouldn't miss her reaction.

"Your biological father."

Her whole body stiffened involuntarily. Her heart felt like it had dropped. No, was it her stomach tightening?

For a moment, she couldn't think at all. It took some time to process.

"But, Father... He passed away..."

Attil shook his head at her reflexive words.

"I thought so too, but apparently not. He's living in hiding."

What emotion should she feel?

Fear, anger, joy, sadness, longing, resentment—

All emotions flooded in, making it hard to think clearly.

"How? Is he safe? Did he lose his memory, or was he seriously injured...?"

She rambled, but it felt futile. Attil's expression was not good.

"Just tell me the truth."

She didn't want to hear it.

"I want to know what happened."

She didn't want to know.

Her heart felt split in two. Attil began the story, but it came in bits and pieces.

"That bastard is a complete scumbag."

"The story about setting sail was a lie. He was heavily in debt and faked his departure to commit fraud. He probably split the money with the ship owner."

"He's pretending to be dead and living with his mistress."

"He's a piece of trash."

"I'll deal with it somehow."

"You don't need to worry about it anymore."

Attil concluded his story and observed Lirika.

Lirika looked at Attil. She forced a smile.

"Okay, I understand."

She couldn't say anything more.

* * *

"Someone from Inro is coming?"

Fjord also looked surprised. His face had returned to its usual neatness, and there wasn't a single scratch on his smooth skin.

However, his attire was not typical of Barat, and the same went for Lirika. Wearing a deep bonnet, Lirika had to turn her head completely to look at Fai.

It was very uncomfortable, but to work in the garden away from the sunlight, it was necessary. Sometimes, when the bonnet slipped over the back of her neck, she would enjoy the liberation until Brin came and put it back on properly.

The autumn sun was bright and almost stinging.

The bonnet used for working was made of thin reeds and had a wide brim.

Lirika nodded.

"Both Attil and Fai were very surprised. I heard a lot about the mysteries of Inro."

Lirika's words made Fjord nod.

"A family that holds many secrets. For Inro to send a teacher... What trick did Her Majesty use?"

"I don't know."

Lirika shook her head, admitting she didn't know. She vaguely knew her mother was amazing, but lately, her mother was truly extraordinary.

'She seems to see the future.'

Thinking this, Lirika sighed and stretched her back. She had spent all her time tending to the garden since finishing breakfast.

After hearing about her father, she couldn't stay still. She wanted to move her body a lot.

She said she would do it alone, but Fjord insisted on coming along.

Lirika kept working silently, and she felt guilty about Fjord working in silence with her.

So she brought up the story of Inro. No other topics came up.

'This is quite hard work.'

She never imagined harvesting would be so difficult. The apple trees were quite heavy with apples. She carefully picked the flawless ones and put them in the basket.

After selecting the good ones, she shook the branches with all her might to make the rest fall. These apples were for juice.

The apples were heavy, and carrying the basket back and forth was tiring.

The same went for the large pumpkins.

Curious, she planted sugar beets and carrots, but digging them up was harder than expected. The ground was hard, and she had to dig deep. She also planted sweet potatoes and dug them up.

Her back and hands ached, but it was satisfying to see the food piling up in the cellar.

"I'm, I'm so hungry..."

Despite eating so much for breakfast, she was so hungry she couldn't wait for lunch.

Fjord looked disgusted. Barat digging up sweet potatoes was not a joke.

"This is more like farm work than garden work."

"Yeah... Trying to reduce food expenses..."

"Huh?"

Fjord asked involuntarily. Lirika couldn't say it was training in case she had to leave the palace later.

"No, just in case."

"Would the empire be collapsing if the princess is worried about food expenses?"

He said seriously and looked at Lirika. Lirika awkwardly laughed and turned her gaze away.

Fjord's eyes narrowed.

Then, Brin waved from the other side.

"Both of you, come for lunch."

"Okay!"

Lirika eagerly ran over. Before entering the cottage, she shook the dirt off her boots and washed her hands thoroughly.

Like starving new recruits after training, the two of them quickly ate their food.

They ate several soft bread rolls slathered with butter, juicy sausages, mashed potatoes fried with butter and sugar, and apple pies with cold cream and spices.

The early lunch in a farm style, served by Brin, was a huge hit. Fjord elegantly ate everything with his knife and fork. Lirika mainly used her fork and spoon, occasionally using her hands.

Lirika sighed contentedly.

"Good job."

Bran said, bringing out the tea. Lirika nodded.

"Yeah, but after clearing the dry herbs and weeds, I still have to cover the ground with a thick layer of leaves with a rake."

Otherwise, the bulbs and roots might freeze and die during the winter.

Although Ullang would help, Lirika wanted to do as much as possible herself. There's no better way to learn than by doing.

When giving tasks later, she would need to know how to do them and notice anything unusual when receiving reports.

Fjord clicked his tongue but didn't scold her like Attil.

"Don't overdo it."

He only said this softly. Lirika nodded.

Fjord wondered if he had become too accustomed to this peaceful atmosphere.

It had been four days since they arrived at the palace. Lirika offered to lend them a bedroom in the White Dragon Hall, but the whole family jumped at the idea.

Attil bared his teeth and refused the Black Dragon Hall, so they ended up staying in one of the guest rooms in the Sun Palace.

It was common for favored retainers to stay in the palace, but it was rare for a child to stay.

There were various rumors about the young Duke Barat staying in the Sun Palace, but both Duke Barat and the royal family remained quiet.

Fjord felt his strength returning at some point. He wondered if it was when Rizert returned to his original form.

More importantly, the princess didn't seem to be in a good state. She was tightly focused on her work, her lips pressed together.

Taking on all the hard work seemed almost self-destructive.

"Princess."

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to work more today?"

It was a polite question. Lirika looked at Fjord.

He clearly knew something was wrong, but he didn't ask a single question and quietly followed her without a fuss.

Compared to right after breakfast, her mind seemed somewhat clearer.

And most importantly,

"Um, Fjord."

"Yes."

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Anything."

Lirika smiled at his assurance. She held the teacup, feeling the warmth seep in.

She looked at Fjord, then at Brin and Raub. Taking a deep breath, she said,

"My biological father is alive."

Fjord tilted his head.

"Is that so?"

"According to Attil, he's a very bad person..."

"Negative."

"But, but. There is."

Her tongue felt stiff. Fjord seemed to know what she was going to say but waited for her to speak.

After hesitating several times, Lirika finally said,

"I want to meet him."